Cases of Salmonella Infection Are Linked to Broiled Chicken Liver and Chopped Liver Sold in New York State

33 Upstate Cases Reported; Consumers Urged to Return or Discard Affected Meat

ALBANY, N.Y. (November 9, 2011) – Following cases of Salmonella infection in New York and several other states linked to meat distributed by a New York City based processor, the State Health Department is advising people who have purchased certain broiled chicken livers or chopped liver to return or discard the affected meat.

On November 8, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service announced that broiled chicken livers originating from Schreiber Processing Corporation of Maspeth, NY have been linked to the infections. While the company has agreed to voluntarily recall the chicken livers, illnesses are also linked to chopped liver made from this product at retail stores. These products would have been repackaged and will not bear the original packaging information. Retail stores and other establishments that sold or repackaged the products for further distribution may be located throughout New York State.

Consumers should return or discard chicken livers or chopped liver products originating from this vendor. Chopped liver purchased from an unknown source should also be discarded: "when in doubt, throw it out." The chicken products were labeled as being "broiled," giving the impression the meat was pre-cooked and ready-to-eat, but are in fact partially cooked and need to be fully cooked before consumption.

In New York, 33 cases in nine upstate counties have been linked to the outbreak, and an additional 56 cases have been reported in New York City.

Consumption of food contaminated with Salmonella can cause salmonellosis, one of the most common bacterial foodborne illnesses. Salmonella infections can be life-threatening, especially to those with weak immune systems, such as infants, the elderly, and the immunocompromised. The most common manifestations of salmonellosis are diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever within 72 hours. Additional symptoms may be chills, headache, nausea and vomiting that can last up to seven days.

The State Health Department has worked closely with the State Department of Agriculture and Markets, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and USDA to investigate the outbreak.

For additional information on Salmonella, visit the Department of Health website at: http://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/salmonellosis/fact_sheet.htm.

For additional information on the recall, visit the USDA website at:

http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/Recall_090_2011_Release/index.asp